1. THE MAGAZINE, APRIL 2014
SCHOOLS: CONTINGENCY PLANNING DISASTER MANAGEMENT
A Campus Response to Crisis
By GregoryRichter
One typical sunny afternoon in south Florida in 2013,a man entered the administration building ofa private
university. The man walked straightby the receptionist,announcing the name ofthe university employee he came to
see and emphaticallystating thatthe woman was his wife.The receptionistwas concerned by the man’s demeanor.
She noted that he was not wearing an employee ID and had not stopped to obtain a visitor’s badge.The receptionist
called securityand told them the employee’s name.Securitycontacted the employee,who informed them that she
was in the midstof a divorce and that her husband was both verbally and physicallyabusive. Security called the
police.
For many universities,the story would end there. But security’s second call was to the university’s Campus Response
Team (CRT). The team was notified by radio and all team members in the administration building placed the facilityin
lockdown until the campus was cleared bysecurityand by the police.After the police arrived, they escorted the man
from university property withoutincident.
The entire CRT met immediatelyafter the incidentto formulate an action plan.The plan included partnering with
security and police for extra patrols around the administration building.The CRTdisseminated the husband’s photo
and description to all reception areas and security personnel.A trespass warning was posted on campus to warn staff
and students thatthe man was banned from campus property.The CRT provided extra safety measures to the
university employee,including a panic button alarm,a parking space close to her workplace entrance,and a security
escortto and from her car. The employee was also referred to counseling and supportservices,as well as to a
community-based supportprogram.The CRT followed up with the employee atregular intervals to determine whether
more assistance was required.After these interventions,the employee obtained a legal no-contactorder againsther
estranged husband,and she has notrequired additional universitysupportsince.
This type of incident,which threatens the safety and securityof a campus,occurs almostdailyat the more than 4,100
colleges and universities in the United States. To be prepared for these emergencies,respond correctly,and recover
quickly, the university developed a security and safety plan that includes players from local emergencyservices,
contract campus securityofficers,and staff and faculty of the university. Well-trained players from law enforcement,
fire and rescue,and campus securityare commonplace in academic settings.Whatmakes this safetymodel special
is the addition of existing professionals drawn from staffand faculty that comprise the CRT.This combined
relationship has proven to make the university environmentsafer and has been costeffective.
The CRT also helps the universitycomply with federal laws.For example,the team improves campus compliance
with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure ofCampus SecurityPolicy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The team also helps
the campus embrace the concepts ofthe National IncidentManagementSystem,which helps agencies work together
in crisis management.The team is proactive, pragmatic,cost-effective,and an extension of the overall educational
mission.
The CRT is an integral partof the campus violence prevention program.The CRTimplements importantparts ofthe
violence prevention plan,such as disseminating clear policies,promoting threatawareness,providing rapid response,
and aiding in recovery.

2. TEAM MEMBERS
It is importantto note that the CRT is not designed to replace the existing campus law enforcementor security
presence,butto assistand enhance their abilityto keep the campus safe and secure.The CRT is available to receive
reports of potential violence from students,staff,and faculty. They are trained to respond when violence does occur
to minimize the effect of a violent attack until the arrival of first responders.CRTmembers are nottrained to confront
aggressors;however,they are trained in campus protective measures such as assessing potential problems,calling
emergencyservices,communicating via the radio to other CRT members,and directing campus lockdowns,
emergencyevacuations,and emergencydrills.
The CRT is typically composed of10 to 20 campus volunteers,depending on the size and layout of the campus,who
come together to address incidents and threats to campus safety.CRT members have an interestin campus safety,
have a feeling of ownership ofthe institution,and have a skill setthat allows them to help maintain a safe campus
environment.Often the CRT will include subjectmatter experts from the campus,such as professors ofemergency
management,criminal justice,psychology,or medicine,along with individuals who have previously worked in a
related field. For example,some members have police,fire, nursing,counseling,or militaryexperience. Other
members maybe laypersons thatvolunteer to be on the team because ofan interestin campus safetyor to improve
their own skills in team building and emergencyresponse.A liaison from the campus securityforce is also assigned
to the team. One of the major advantages ofthe CRT is that it harnesses a broad scope ofthe bestand brightest
minds from the campus thatcan come together to discuss pending issues,assess threats,or respond to actual
events until the arrival of first responders.All members of the CRT have an interestin the safety, security, and well-
being of campus staffand students.
Regularlyscheduled meetings and training sessions allow CRTmembers to keep up to date on campus safety,
physical security, and special events.The team also participates in simulated responses to real-life scenarios.
It is importantthat other campus personnel and the studentpopulation know who the CRT members are and thatthe
CRT members are readilyidentifiable and are immediatelyaccessible.To ensure the CRT is visible on campus,the
team conceptis discussed during student,employee,and faculty orientation and CRT members often attend student
and faculty meetings to presentsafety briefings and discuss safetyand securityissues.In addition,team members
are readilyidentifiable by a red lanyard with white “CRT” letters and a “CRT” identification badge thatis affixed to the
lanyard worn around the neck.
POLICIES
The CRT members are well versed in the campus violence prevention policy. This policy clearly states the
institution’s stance on violence prevention and discusses every aspectof the issue.For example,violence is defined
as classroom disruptiveness,bullying,physical violence,threats,dating violence,or stalking.These policies are
provided to the studentbody and understood by all parties within the campus environment.The policies are
accompanied bythe penalties and discipline thatoffenders should expectif violations occur.
The policies and procedures are designed to minimize access to the campus byintruders and unwanted persons.For
example,students and employees mustdisplayIDs while on campus property,and vehicle identification placards
mustbe visible at all times.
Additionally, other target hardening methods are employed by the university, including limiting points ofaccess to
campus buildings and requiring all visitors to check in at reception and displayvisitor identification badges while on
campus property.Locks that can be engaged from the inside are presenton all offices and classrooms.As part of the
security program,interior classroom windows are required to have the window blinds open during classroom hours.
This “always open” window rule allows staffand security to easilyperform classroom safetychecks.
Security officers are required to patrol the buildings and grounds atdiffering times so thatpatrol times do notbecome
routine or predictable.If a potential threat is identified by the CRT, other securitymethods maybe employed to
provide additional protection.For example,if a threat againsta specific class or instructor is suspected,securitymight
place a panic button alarm in the classroom,move the class meeting location to a room closer to security, or increase
monitoring ofthe classroom or office by security or administration.Specific parking spaces in proximityto secure
entrances and securityescorts mayalso be made available to staff or students upon request.

3. AWARENESS
The CRT model also stresses threatawareness on campus.This is importantin an educational environmentwhere
there are typically large groups of people in close or even semi-confined quarters such as a classrooms,auditoriums,
and sporting events.The CRT is critical in helping students,staff,and faculty remain vigilantand provide a n avenue
to report any suspicious or threatening activity. It is importantthat the CRT and campus securityfoster a relationship
with the students and campus staffthat is open,approachable,and responsive.To do this,the CRT has developed a
protocol for responding to reports of potential issues or problems.When a threat or suspicious activity is reported to
the CRT or other safety authorities,the team will meet, address the issue,and develop a response or action plan.A
CRT member will contactthe reporting party to let him or her know that the complaintwas taken seriouslyand
thoroughlyinvestigated.If possible,the reporting party is advised of the outcome ofthe investigation.
TRAINING
Every security incidenthas distinctelements.By training for differentscenarios and meeting to discuss safetythreats,
the CRT can be more prepared to respond when a threat occurs.Each team trains a minimum ofonce each year with
the campus director ofsafety and security. Examples oftraining topics include “CRTConcepts and Basic
Procedures,” “EmergencyCommunication Methods,” and “Prevention and Response to Workplace and Campus
Violence.” This training typically includes classroom lecture,scenario-based practical drills,discussion,and feedback.
This training is documented and maintained bythe university for review and Clery Act compliance purposes.
In addition to this training,each individual campus CRTand its members are required to meetmonthlyfor training
and to discuss safetyand security updates and issues.Meetings usuallyinclude training,dissemination ofpertinent
information,and discussion ofpotential safetyissues or violations.The CRTmeeting also provides a forum for
members to share their specialized knowledge with other members such as proper radio procedures,hurricane and
storm preparation,firstaid skills,and communicating effectively with stressed or depressed individuals.Throughout
the year, each CRT will also perform live training scenarios such as campus lockdowns,fire drills ,bomb threats,and
other emergencyresponses.Minutes are recorded at each meeting and are submitted to the director of safety and
security so that proper documentation is maintained.
RESPONSE
Typically an incidentthat is already discussed in universitypolicy such as a fire alarm or intruder on campus would
proceed in a predetermined fashion.CRTmembers would call 911,notify security, evacuate, or lock down —
depending on the threat—and return to normal after firstresponders secure the scene.When unusual incidents or
threats arise,the CRT truly shines.In these cases,911 is called,the campus is secured until emergencyresponders
arrive, and the team assists the firstresponders.After the incident,the team will meetto debriefand discuss how to
prevent this type of problem in the future and make suggestions for appropriate responses and potential policies.
The CRT is at its strongestwhen proactivelymeeting to discuss potential issues and preventing future problems.This
allows the team to formulate an action plan.These plans often include engaging the combined services ofthe CRT,
campus security,reception,and other affected university employees.The CRTwill often recommend thatadd itional
safety precautions be employed such as increasing securityofficer presence,requesting extra patrols or services
from local law enforcement,limiting access to certain buildings,and providing extra services such as the panic button
alarms,special parking,or securityescorts mentioned earlier.The CRT may also requestthatstudentservices
provide counseling and communityassistance information to those in need of such services.
Different CRT members maytake the lead depending on the nature of the action plan. For example,while being
counseled for poor attendance and failing grades,a studentcommented to his professor thathe was having personal
problems outside ofschool thatincluded “girlfriend problems and moneyissues” and thathe wasn’t“able to focus on
anything lately.” He told the professor that“maybe he would be better off dead.” The professor immediatelybrought
this to the attention of a CRT member.The CRT metand formulated an action plan that included the campus
president,studentservices,and the university studentoutreach counselor.The studentwas directed to counseling
and other community-based services.The studentcontinued to be monitored by the studentoutreach counselor and
is now doing well at home and in school.
Often times the CRT will convene and respond to reports of safety violations,potential conflicts,or even physical
security issues such as fire hazards,unauthorized entries,or upcoming special events.It is importantthat the CRT

4. work in concert and not separatelyfrom the campus police or securityauthority. An example of the CRT working with
local law enforcementis when the team assists the police bydisseminating crime prevention information on campus
or collaborating with the local police,campus securitypersonnel,and campus staffby developing a security plan to
be used when the campus hosts a special event.
RECOVERY
Justas importantas preparation,training,and response is the recovery process.After an event or incident,the CRT
will meetand hold a debriefing.The CRT discusses the effect of the incidentand whether the campus communitywill
have difficulty returning to normal operations.The team also addresses whatresources maybe required for
continued response and whatsupportthe CRT can give to first responders.The discussion also includes any
challenges confronting the organization of the CRT and what lessons can be learned from the event. For example,
after a large campus graduation ceremonywas held,the CRT debriefincluded recommendations for additional
security, locations where securityofficers were mostneeded,and the addition of an emergencycommand postfor
future similar events.
One of the mostpressing issues confronting academic securityprofessionals is how to provide the safestcampus
environmentand still be fiscallyresponsible.As public safety and security resources become more limited,itis
necessaryfor institutions to reach out to volunteers to develop cost-effective and innovative techniques to improve
campus safety.The CRT finds strength in the fact that it combines the knowledge,commitment,and perseverance
from those professionals who are alreadycommitted to the institution and to demonstrating the effectiveness ofthe
CRT and are willing to commiteven more.
Gregory Richter is Director of Safety and Security, Keiser University.He is a member ofASIS International.